Systèmes de raffinage des huiles alimentaires

Get the most out of your crude oil with time-tested edible oil refining process solutions that optimize quality, ensure food safety and maximize yield

Alfa Laval holds more than 3700 patents, of which some 140 are specifically for edible oil systems. We continuously invest in R&D to enhance core components and equipment with innovative technology that optimizes our customers processes.

Whether you need complete systems to refine for edible oils or components and equipment to upgrade your existing process lines, you can rest assured we have your back. What you get is optimal design, reliability, ease of use, higher product quality, lower product losses and costs, minimized waste, global expertise and local service. All of which contribute to higher earnings and lower lifecycle costs.

Our edible oil production line portfolio

After pressing and clarification, crude oil passes through a series of edible oil refining processes – each optimized to preserve product integrity and flavour: 

•  Degumming (water or physical refining for gum removal)
•  Neutralization (chemical refining for free fatty acid removal)
•  Dewaxing (cold stability)
• Bleaching (pigment and impurity removal)
• Deodorization under vacuum and steam (3‑MCPD and GE reduction)

Detailed stages of the edible oil refining process 

The crude oil is transferred either to special degumming in the physical refining process, to water degumming, or directly to neutralization in the chemical refining process. In chemical refining, free fatty acids undergo a reaction to form aqueous soap, which is removed from the oil using centrifuges. 

The physical edible oil refining process removes certain impurities – mainly phosphatides (phospholipids or gums) from the oil. Some oils, such as sunflower and corn oils, pass through a dewaxing step to achieve the prescribed cold stability to retain clarity at low temperatures. 

Next, the bleaching process eliminates impurities, such as metals, soap residues and colour components. Finally, deodorization extends shelf life by breaking down residual colour, peroxides, or off-flavour compounds . 

Volatile compounds, mostly fatty acids, are removed through steam stripping at 240° – 260°C under vacuum. This stage also produces fatty acid distillates, a valuable by-product of physical refining, though less common in chemical refining. 

To cut operating costs further, Alfa Laval’s utility process systems help reduce your costs for power, water, steam, fuel, and cooling media across your edible oil refinery. 

Optimize your edible oil production line 

Maximize yield, quality, and safety with Alfa Laval’s edible oil refining solutions. With over 3,700 Alfa Laval patents – including more than 140 dedicated to edible oil systems, we optimize every stage of the refining process. Continuous R&D investment ensures our equipment evolves with innovative technology to boost performance, reduce losses, and improve efficiency. 

Whether installing a complete edible oil refining system or upgrading individual components, Alfa Laval delivers solutions tailored to your needs. Expect optimal design, easy installation, intuitive operation, reliable performance, and minimal product loss. By combining global expertise with local service, you gain higher efficiency, lower life-cycle costs, and stronger returns for your business.